Business Breakdowns
Learn how companies work from the people who know them best. Each episode dissects a single business - from its origins and model to its financials and competitive edge. Join hosts Matt Reustle and Zack Fuss as they uncover the lessons behind every success story.
Episodes
Toast: Sticky SaaS - [Business Breakdowns, EP.247]
Today, we are breaking down Toast, a name we have covered before but are revisiting because the story has changed enough to be worth telling again. Most listeners will have tapped a Toast terminal without thinking much about the business behind it.
Our guest is Sean Barrett, founder, managing partner, and chief investment officer of Counter Global, who holds Toast as one of his largest positions
Auto1: EU-sed Car Marketplace - [Business Breakdowns, EP.246]
Today, we are breaking down Auto1, and this is an interesting episode because we are tackling a business that most US listeners will not be familiar with, even though it resembles names they already know well.
Our guest is Harrison Moot, co-founder and CIO of Sandstone, who walks us through Europe's largest vertically integrated online marketplace for used cars. Auto1 is often shorthanded as the
Opendoor: Q1 2026 Earnings - [Business Breakdowns, EP.245]
Today, we are breaking down Opendoor, and this is a unique episode. We recorded with Kaz Nejatian, the CEO of Opendoor, shortly after the company reported its first quarter 2026 earnings, and we covered both what is happening inside the business right now and how he is thinking about Opendoor from the seat after coming over from Shopify.
The core of the conversation is how Kaz frames the company
PriceSmart: Central America’s Costco - [Business Breakdowns, EP.244]
Today, we are breaking down PriceSmart, the membership warehouse club operating across Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. I came away from this episode with a new appreciation for how a single retail concept and a single family have shaped the way much of the world shops.
When you learn that Sol Price invented the modern club store, influenced Sam Walton, the founders of Home Dep
Altius Minerals: Royalty Check - [Business Breakdowns, EP.243]
Today, we are breaking down Altius Minerals, a Canadian royalty company that stands apart from the precious metals and oil and gas names that usually define the category. 17 people in Newfoundland control royalties over Canadian potash mines that supply 90 percent of the potash used in the US, along with 2.9 gigawatts of operating renewable power.
I am joined by Luke Bridgeman, portfolio manager
Givaudan: The Magic Ingredients - [Business Breakdowns, EP.242]
Today, we are breaking down Givaudan, the Swiss fragrance and flavor giant hiding in plain sight. I came away from this episode with a new way of seeing the world around me. When you learn that a single company is behind the scent of your shampoo, the taste of your burger, and the smell of your laundry, you start to realize just how much of daily life runs through a company most people have never
Apollo: Connoisseurs of Complexity - [Business Breakdowns, REPLAY]
This episode was originally recorded in March 2025. Today, we are breaking down the global alternative asset manager, Apollo. I reflected on my personal experiences with Apollo for this episode, and there's a saying that hard work can beat talent when talent doesn't work hard. Well, Apollo has talent, and Apollo works really damn hard. They will do everything they can to protect their capital,
Cognex: Vision Quest - [Business Breakdowns, REPLAY]
This conversation was originally released in February of 2025. We’re replaying this episode because Cognex sits right at the intersection of AI and robotics. As the market focuses more on physical AI and automation in 2026, machine vision is becoming an increasingly important part of that story.
Today we are breaking down Cognex, the leader in machine vision. Cognex builds the cameras, sensors, a
ASML: Competing with Moore’s Law - [Business Breakdowns, REPLAY]
This conversation was originally released in June of 2023.
Today we return to the semiconductor value chain with one of the most important companies in modern technology: ASML. The company began life as an unwanted spin-out from Philips with no real product and little expectation of success. Today, it builds the only machines capable of manufacturing the most advanced chips in the world.
To brea
Cloudflare: Leading Cybersecurity - [Business Breakdowns, EP.241]
Today we are breaking down the cybersecurity giant, Cloudflare.
Today, Cloudflare controls over 20% of the world’s web traffic, and more impressively, absorbs 2.5mn cyber attacks per second.
My guest is Sam Eden, Investor at Square Peg’s Global Tech Fund. And while I understood on the surface what Cloudflare does, Sam helped me get into the weeds on how the digital pipes actually work.
So we
How Investors are using AI - [Business Breakdowns, EP.240]
Today we have a special episode breaking down how investors are using AI.
This is a question I get from many of you, and while there is no shortage of content on the implications of AI, I know there's an appetite to learn more about tangible use cases, how to make sure you're getting the most out of these tools, how to think about advancements in the technology, and ensuring that you're keeping
Games Workshop: The World of Warhammer - [Business Breakdowns, EP.239]
Today we are breaking down Games Workshop. This episode is another examination of the business of IP. Whether it's Disney, Electronic Arts, or Nintendo, there are so many businesses built around core IP. And while Games Workshop and its Warhammer franchise may not be as familiar to our North America listeners - this episode will tell you why that may be changing very soon.
My guest is Todd Wennin
Databricks: From Data to Decisions - [Business Breakdowns, EP.238]
Today we’re breaking down Databricks, a $130B private company that helps companies collect, store, and process very large amounts of data, and then use that data to run analytics and train machine learning models.
Databricks sits in the middle of modern data systems, connecting raw data pipelines to the tools teams use to analyze information and build AI. If you’ve worked on large-scale data or
Amadeus: The IT Backbone of Travel - [Business Breakdowns, EP.237]
Today we are breaking down Amadeus, the dominant infrastructure powering global travel bookings. If you've used a travel agent or corporate booking system, you've likely interacted with Amadeus's technology—though most of what they do happens behind the scenes in airline operations, hotel inventory management, and logistics coordination.
Ben Needham, portfolio manager at Ninety One Asset Manageme
Doximity: The Hub of Healthcare - [Business Breakdowns, EP.236]
Today, we are breaking down one of the more impressive B2B media businesses I have come across, Doximity. It's been called “the LinkedIn for doctors.”
Jim Jones, partner and analyst at William Blair Asset Management, helped explain exactly how Doximity works as a business. Jim gets into the community engine that works for and around medical professionals. And yes, there is a social network, but
GE Aerospace: Full Throttle - [Business Breakdowns, EP.235]
Today we are breaking down GE Aerospace. We did cover GE several years ago, but that episode focused on Larry Culp's turnaround of the conglomerate.
Ramesh Narayanaswamy, co-founder and portfolio manager of Tourbillon Partners, joins me to explore what is now a pure-play aerospace business. We discuss the unique dynamics of the aerospace supply chain and the long-cycle nature that differentiates
Alternative Investing: Alts For All - [Business Breakdowns, EP.234]
This is Matt Reustle. Today, we are back to talk about increased access to alternative investing. My guest is Josh Clarkson, managing director at Prosek Partners. You may remember that Josh joined us last year in our primer series on private credit. He is back today to discuss what this development could mean for all the counterparties involved.
We put some numbers around the opportunity, cover
Robinhood: Mobile First, Margins Later - [Business Breakdowns, EP.233]
This is Matt Reustle. Today we are breaking down Robinhood. My guest is Arthur Olson, founding partner at Ravenswood Partners. We get into how Robinhood grew from a mobile-native brokerage idea that faced many challenges along the way into the third-largest broker in the USA.
Arthur educates on how the business model has evolved and diversified away from a pure pay-for-order market. We discuss h
CompoSecure: Heavy Metal - [Business Breakdowns, EP.232]
This is Matt Reustle. Today we are breaking down CompoSecure, a company that manufactures premium metal credit cards and payment cards. My guest is Parsa Kiai, Managing Partner at Steamboat Capital. What really made Parsa the ideal guest is that he has a history with CompoSecure from before the Dave Cote era, which started sometime in 2024.
We get into all of this: the niche market of premium me
Amphenol: The Nervous System for Electronics - [Business Breakdowns, EP.231]
This is Matt Reustle. Today, we are breaking down the industrial giant Amphenol. Amphenol pairs two of my favorite business frameworks that are often discussed on Breakdowns. Firstly, I am drawn to any company that specializes in selling mission-critical parts, which represent a small percentage of a manufacturer's total production cost. And secondly, Amphenol has a track record of M&A success un
Media M&A - [Business Breakdowns, EP.230]
This is Matt Reustle. Today, we are exploring the world of media deals. My guest is Blake Saunders. Blake has been in media investment banking for almost two decades. When I first met him, he was a banker, so I wasn't expecting to lean into this relationship, but I often introduce Blake to others as the banker.
We delve into the current deal landscape and some of the realities of the media market
Exor: Fiat Crisis to Ferrari Glory - [Business Breakdowns, EP.229]
This is Zack Fuss. Today, we are breaking down Exor. The origins of Exor date back to the end of the 19th century when Giovanni Agnelli founded the Auto Company Fiat. Over the company's 100-year-old history, a lot has changed. While some of the core assets remain the same today, Exor serves as an investment holding company. Its largest and most notable assets include Ferrari, CNH, Stellantis, Phi
WaterBridge: Oil and Water - [Business Breakdowns, EP.228]
This is Matt Reustle. Today we are breaking down the recent IPO WaterBridge. I am joined by James Davolos from Horizon Kinetics.
We start with HK's history with these very unique businesses that are off the radar for many with TPL, Landbridge and now Water Bridge. James gets into the weeds and nuances of what this business actually doesa and why the service that they're providing is so incredib
Mercado Libre: E-commerce Empire - [Business Breakdowns, EP.227]
This is Matt Reustle. Today we are breaking down the Latam e-commerce Giant, Mercado Libre. My guest is Daniel Wu of Bristlemoon Capital.
I was introduced to MELI about 15 years ago when it was still the eBay of Latam, and similar to a place that you revisit after a long time away, MELI looks a lot different than those early days.
Just consider that with a $120 billion market cap, MELI is th
Compass: Real Estate Revolution - [Business Breakdowns, EP.226]
This is Matt Reustle. Today, we are breaking down the real estate broker Compass. Compass itself is a fascinating business and historically a controversial stock. It was founded in 2012 by Robert Reffkin and has scaled in that short period of time to become the largest real estate brokerage in the United States.
Geoff Collette, founder of Aeon Capital Partners, is back as a guest. After his Bre
PE Perspective on Insurance Brokers - [Business Breakdowns, EP.225]
This is Matt Reustle. Today's Breakdown caters to both public and private investors alike. My guest is Aaron Cohen, head of the Financial Services and Technology Group at GTCR, and our topic is insurance Brokers. I was initially intrigued by Aaron and GTCR after seeing their announced $13 billion sale of Assured Partners to Arthur J.Gallagher, an incredible success story in the insurance brokerag
CME Group: The House Always Wins - [Business Breakdowns, EP.224]
This is Matt Reustle and today we are breaking down the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. My guest is Adam Chandler, co-PM at Claremont Global, and together we get into the nitty gritty of exchanges. We all know how integral exchanges are to the financial system but we rarely stop to understand how they operate, how they make money, and how they shape the flow of dollars. This episode aims to do just
Agilent: Back To The Lab - [Business Breakdowns, EP.223]
This is Matt Reustle. Today, we are breaking down Agilent. If you aren't familiar with Agilent, it is a $30 billion market cap company at the time of this recording, and they focus on one of the more interesting niches: equipment and instruments sold into laboratories.
Its equipment is being sold to the life sciences sector, diagnostics, applied chemical markets, and some very unique R&D work. M
Patek Philippe: Watch Perfection - [Business Breakdowns, REPLAY]
This is Matt Reustle. Today we are replaying our Breakdown of Patek Philippe. You never own a Patek Philippe. You merely watch over it for the next generation. I'll say it's the best marketing campaign in history, a campaign appropriate for the world's premier watchmaker and a watchmaker worthy of a Business Breakdown.
Our guest today is John Reardon from Collectability. John has worked at Sotheb
Alpha In Podcasts? - [Business Breakdowns, EP.222]
This is Matt Reustle. Today’s episode looks a little different. We are exploring whether podcasts can be a source of investment alpha, sparked by a Wall Street Journal article about portfolio manager Steve Schurr's success mining podcast transcripts for Millennium Management. I analyze performance data from over 200 companies covered on Business Breakdowns since 2021, revealing that while the over
Nexstar Media: Broadcasting's Biggest Bet - [Business Breakdowns, EP.221]
This is Zack Fuss. Today, we are breaking down Nexstar Media Group. Nexstar controls more local television stations than any other company in the US. This industry has experienced substantial consolidation, which has reshaped itself over the past decade and ultimately culminated in the emergence of businesses like Nexstar as the preeminent station group outside of the Big Four.
My guest today i
EQT: Returns at Scale - [Business Breakdowns, EP.220]
This is Matt Reustle. Today we are breaking down EQT, the Swedish global investment organization. Right off the top, I need to mention our guest today, Sean Barrett, who couldn't have been more perfect for this breakdown. Sean has been investing in the Alts since Blackstone christened this asset class just over a decade ago.
Sean is the founder of Counter Global, and alt investing is ingrained i
UnitedHealth Group: Beyond The Premium - [Business Breakdowns, EP.219]
This is Zack Fuss. Today, we're tackling a giant in a controversial and incredibly complex industry, UnitedHealth Group. At its recent apex, UNH was a half-trillion-dollar market cap business, the 15th largest listed business in the United States. Today, that market cap sits at just $275 billion.
The company generates an excess of $400 billion in sales annually and produces $40 billion in EBITDA
Moncler: The Après Playbook - [Business Breakdowns, EP.218]
Today we are breaking down Moncler, the high-end outerwear brand. Known for their down jackets and stylized M logo, it’s a mix of style and substance that blends into the brand history and evolution of Moncler.
I am joined by Chris Davies, investment manager at Baillie Gifford to cover Moncler’s story, particularly in the hands of Remo Ruffini. We get into its push to define luxury outerwear an
Vulcan Materials: Rock On - [Business Breakdowns, REPLAY]
Today, we are replaying our Breakdown on Vulcan Materials. Vulcan is America's largest producer of construction aggregates. This includes all of the crushed rock, sand, and gravel, which gets used for the foundation of nearly everything around us. Think of all of the buildings, the roads, and the infrastructure that define the physical footprint of America.
To break down Vulcan, I am joined by
monday.com: Work Management Software - [Business Breakdowns, EP.217]
Today we are breaking down the work management software platform monday.com. Founded in February 2012, today monday.com has a market cap of over $14 billion. The platform has transformed a simple task management tool to a versatile platform serving numerous industries and use cases.
I am joined by Ben Hensman, Portfolio Manager of the Global Tech Fund at Square Peg. He takes us through the story
Interactive Brokers: Margin Masters - [Business Breakdowns, EP.216]
This is Zack Fuss. Today, we are breaking down Interactive Brokers, widely recognized as IBKR. Founded in 1978, Interactive Brokers evolved from a market maker on the American Stock Exchange to a global, cutting-edge electronic brokerage firm. Its founder, Thomas Peterffy, remains far and away its largest shareholder and has earned his place as one of the wealthiest people in the world.
To break
Chemed: Empire of Care - [Business Breakdowns, EP.215]
This is Zack Fuss. Today we are breaking down Chemed. Chemed represents the union of two seemingly distinct businesses: end-of-life healthcare and plumbing services. As our guest aptly puts it, old houses and old people. The two underlying businesses, VITAS and the widely recognized Roto-Rooter, both offer interesting stories in their own right.
The strength of this business has been its intent
Ecolab: Clean Machine - [Business Breakdowns, EP.214]
Today we are breaking down Ecolab, a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions that protect people & the resources vital to life. As of this recording, Ecolab has a $66 billion market cap and protects over 36% of the world's packaged food supply and over 44% of the global milk supply.
My guest is Todd Wenning, founder of KNA Capital Management, who ha
Snap-on: Tools of the Trades - [Business Breakdowns, EP.213]
Today, we explore the world of tools to break down Snap-on. Snap-on has been around for over 100 years and operates with over a $17 billion market cap. It has continuously evolved the straightforward model of selling tools to specialists, like mechanics, into a durable business model while carving out a leadership position in the professional tools market.
My guest is Matt Fleming, portfolio manag
Goosehead: Insuring Coverage - [Business Breakdowns, EP.212]
Today we are breaking down Goosehead Insurance. I always enjoy hearing about how a new entrant has effectively carved out a niche in a world of incumbents and Goosehead fits that billing perfectly.
I'm joined by Geoff Collette, founder and PM of Aeon Capital Partners, and he walks us through the story of Goosehead identifying a bottleneck in the home-buying process.
We also cover the evolving ma
Compass: Meals for the Masses - [Business Breakdowns, EP.211]
Today, we are breaking down the food catering giant Compass Group. Whether it's your corporate cafeteria, the food stands at a sporting event, or the old hospital food tray, the food services industry is all around you. Compass is the giant in this space, with a history that dates back to the emergence of this outsourced trend.
My guest is Asif Jeevanjee, Chief Executive of Oakmount Capital. Asif
EssilorLuxottica: Sight To Behold - [Business Breakdowns, EP.210]
Today we are breaking down EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the eyewear industry, formed by the merger of Essilor and Luxottica in 2018. Today the business sports a nearly $130 billion market cap. EssilorLuxottica represents a vertically integrated business, encompassing design, manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations across both vision care and eyewear fashion segments.
To break d
Watsco: Air Apparent - [Business Breakdowns, EP.209]
Today we are breaking down Watsco, the market leader in HVAC distribution with a unique value proposition. If you've ever had an air conditioning issue, there's a decent chance it was a Watsco distributor on the other side of that phone call.
My guests today are Lucy Adams, Investment Director at Caledonia Investments, and Alan Murran, Co-Head of Public Companies at Caledonia Investments. Lucy
Apollo: Connoisseurs of Complexity - [Business Breakdowns, EP.208]
Today, we are breaking down the global alternative asset manager, Apollo. I reflected on my personal experiences with Apollo for this episode, and there's a saying that hard work can beat talent when talent doesn't work hard. Well, Apollo has talent, and Apollo works really damn hard. They will do everything they can to protect their capital, so if you're on the other side of the table from the
Cognex: Vision Quest - [Business Breakdowns, EP.207]
Today we are breaking down machine vision leader, Cognex. Cognex Corporation is an American manufacturer of machine vision systems, software and sensors used in automated manufacturing to inspect and identify parts, detect defects, verify product assembly, and guide assembly robots. It is not your typical reoccurring revenue story. They are a self proclaimed cyclical that has tended to focus on a
Rolls-Royce: Turbines and Tribulations - [Business Breakdowns, REPLAY]
Today, we are breaking down Rolls-Royce. A fair warning to those expecting to hear about luxury automobiles, that division was split from this business in the 1970s. But as we discuss the history of Rolls-Royce on this episode, you will hear how the DNA of this company still ties together from its early 1900s origins.
Our guest is Graeme Forster from Orbis Investments. Graeme walks us through the
AMETEK: Industrial Excellence - [Business Breakdowns, REPLAY]
Today, we are replaying one of our favorites, breaking down the industrial conglomerate AMETEK. AMETEK is a great pairing with last week's episode on Jack Henry. These are two businesses with very long track records executing a playbook.
AMETEK is one of eight companies that Mark Leonard and his team at Constellation Software studied as they built their own empire. And it's one well worthy of a di
Jack Henry: VMS King - [Business Breakdowns, EP.206]
Today, we are breaking down Jack Henry. If you're not familiar with it, Mark Leonard of Constellation Software once referred to this business as their ‘gold standard.’ Jack Henry is a true best in class operator within the vertical market software space.
To break down the business, I'm joined by Bob Desmond, Portfolio Manager and Head of Claremont Global. Jack Henry sells full operating system s
APi Group: Safety Services at Scale - [Business Breakdowns, EP.205]
This is Zack Fuss. Today, we are breaking down APi Group, a leading provider of life safety and specialty services to buildings and construction projects. While not necessarily a household name, APi's services play a vital role in the buildings where we live and work.
With over 100 acquisitions under their belt, they've strategically built a business that exceeds a billion dollars in EBITDA and s
Kaspi.kz: The Kazakh Super-App - [Business Breakdowns, EP.204]
This is Zack Fuss. Today, we are breaking down Kaspi, a leading financial technology company based in Kazakhstan best known for its super app. Kaspi plays a central role in the lives of millions of Kazakh citizens by offering a seamless ecosystem that combines payments and digital wallets, e-commerce, and financial services.
Its success is often attributed to its ability to solve pain points spec
Gaming Consoles Part 3: Nintendo - [Business Breakdowns, EP.203]
Today's episode is the third in our three-part miniseries on video game consoles. Here, we are breaking down Nintendo. Our guest is Ryan O'Connor, the founder of Crossroads Capital. He has a wealth of knowledge about Nintendo, and you will hear it throughout this episode.
We discuss the history of the brand and business, including how it revitalized the industry in the 1980s, some of its strategi
Gaming Consoles Part 2: Sony - [Business Breakdowns, EP.202]
This is the second episode of our multi-part series on the video game console market. If you've yet to listen to Episode One, Sia Kamalie is the founder and fund manager at Skycatcher. Join me in breaking down the video game console market and his thesis for why it's an inflecting opportunity.
In this episode, we go micro and Sia is back to break down Sony. Sia and I spend a lot of time talking a
Gaming Consoles Part 1: The Thesis - [Business Breakdowns, EP.201]
Today's episode is the first in a multi-part series on the video game console market. Our guest is Sia Kamalie, the founder and fund manager at Skycatcher. Skycatcher describes itself as focused on capturing asymmetry at the internet frontier, and Sia has very strong conviction that the video game console market is entering a major paradigm shift with an app store model set to hit its inflection p
Arm: The Silicon Blueprint - [Business Breakdowns, EP.200]
This is Zack Fuss. Today, we're breaking down Arm Holdings. Arm designs the architecture powering billions of devices, from smartphones and data centers to IoT devices and automotive systems. In this episode, we'll explore Arm's unique value proposition and how it thrives as a licensing giant in a market dominated by leading-edge manufacturers.
To break down Arm, I am joined by Jay Goldberg, who i
Kering: It’s Gucci - [Business Breakdowns, EP.199]
Today, we are breaking down the global luxury group Kering. You know Kering from its brands Gucci, YSL, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, and the list goes on. It's a luxury house similar to LVMH, but LVMH over the past five years is up over 40% and Kering is down over 60%.
To break down Kering, I am joined by Jonathan Eng, portfolio manager at Causeway. We cover the owners and operators of Kering, the
2024 Anecdotes to Remember - [Business Breakdowns, EP.198]
Today we have a special year-end episode of Business Breakdowns, running through some of the best ideas that were featured on the podcast. The goal of the podcast is to detail whatever business we're covering that day. But when you think about the best investors, the best business builders, they're constantly borrowing insights from the success stories that are happening around them.
We start wit
FilterBuy: Fresh Air - [Business Breakdowns, EP.197]
Today we‘re breaking down FilterBuy. From time to time, I come across a compelling founder who is willing to cover everything about their business and David Heacock, founder of FilterBuy, is exactly that.
We explored the psychology of David's transition from Goldman options trader to starting an air filter business in Alabama just over 10 years ago. Since then, the business has grown into somethin
Inditex: Fast Fashion - [Business Breakdowns, EP.196]
Today we are covering the world of fast fashion. If you don't know the name Inditex, you certainly know Zara, the core business inside Inditex. My guest, Alistair Wittet, recently launched Aecus Partners, an equity boutique specializing in European and global equities, and has followed Inditex for decades.
He gets into how the company pivoted its business over the years from the initial store exp
Alternative Lending in Real Estate - [Business Breakdowns, EP.195]
Today we are breaking down commercial real estate lending with Josh Zegen, co-founder and managing principal of Madison Realty Capital.
Josh and his team at Madison launched in 2004 and evolved from a hard money lender when there really was no alternative industry called commercial real estate lending. They've developed into a single-source capital provider today with more than $21 billion in AUM
SpaceX: Rocket Ship - [Business Breakdowns, EP.194]
Today we are breaking down SpaceX. Luke Ward from Baillie Gifford was the perfect match for this episode, as he and his team first invested in SpaceX in 2018.
We cover the story of SpaceX and its scientific magic, but we really key in on the business model. We focus on the cost curve of launches, separating manufacturing from reusability. Luke gets into how Starlink represents a key component in m
Investing in Venture Secondaries - [Business Breakdowns, EP.193]
Today, we are covering the increasingly thematic market of venture secondaries. My guest is Ravi Viswanathan, founder and managing partner of NewView Capital.
We cover some of the basics around these transactions because so much of private markets are bespoke. And while Ravi confirmed that the bespoke nature makes each individual secondary deal unique, there are consistencies in terms of how they
Informa: Where Industries Meet - [Business Breakdowns, EP.192]
Today we are breaking down Informa. At its core Informa is a live events business headquartered in the UK. While media conversations often revolve around consumer giants like Disney, Informa operates in a different realm entirely - dominating the world of business-to-business connections through the largest portfolio of trade shows and events globally.
I am joined by Nick Shenton from Artemis Inve
Fastenal: A Nuts & Bolts Success Story - [Business Breakdowns, EP.191]
This is Zack Fuss. Today we're breaking down Fastenal. Starting as a small fastener retailer in Minnesota, the company has evolved into a mission-critical supply chain partner for its industrial customers. Today, the business sports a nearly $50 billion market cap and produces nearly $8 billion in sales.
The impact of Fastenal's founder, Bob Kierlin, on Fastenal's commercial success can't be over
Demographics Driving Real Estate - [Business Breakdowns, EP.190]
Today, my guest is Fernando De Leon, founder of Leon Capital Group. Fernando operates 14 different businesses under the Leon Capital umbrella, which vary across real estate, healthcare, and financial services. But as you will hear in our conversation, the businesses are connected and instruct one another. The connective tissue throughout this conversation is how demographic insight sits underneath
Merck & Co: Blockbuster Drugs - [Business Breakdowns, EP.189]
This is Zack Fuss. Today we are breaking down Merck, one of the world's largest and oldest pharmaceutical companies. The company has been shaping medicine and fostering innovation for over 130 years. From its humble beginnings as a small family pharmacy in Germany, today's iteration of Merck has transformed into a nearly $300 billion market cap business with particular strength in oncology.
At th
American Tower: Signals and Stability - [Business Breakdowns, EP.188]
Today we are breaking down American Tower: the REIT, the communications giant, and the infrastructure asset. To break down American Tower I'm joined by William Heard, founder and CIO of Heard Capital Management. William founded Heard Capital in 2011.
Today, the firm manages $2 billion in assets, holds about 15 to 20 names, and has very specific criteria for investing in companies. We cover AMT fr
AIG: Rise, Fall, and Rebirth - [Business Breakdowns, EP.187]
Today, we are breaking down the insurance giant AIG. AIG's story is one of a remarkable turnaround, a tale of a global insurance giant emerging from near collapse during the great financial crisis. Over nearly two decades, AIG has transformed itself into a more focused and efficient property and casualty insurer.
To grasp the magnitude of AIG's journey, consider this: During the financial crisis
Gregorys Coffee: From Bean to Dream - [Business Breakdowns, EP.186]
Today we are getting into the world of coffee with Gregory Zamfotis, the founder of Gregorys Coffee. We breakdown the New York City born coffee chain that now spans across twelve US states.
This is a true look into what it takes to open up a coffee shop and the economics behind it. We get into what it's like to innovate in an industry where innovation can last a week before a competitor releases
Going Activist in Japan - [Business Breakdowns, EP.185]
Today, we are covering what might be the most interesting investment strategy I've come across in a long time: activism in Japan. In this episode, I talk with Masumi Nishida, Partner and Managing Director for Dalton's Tokyo research office.
As part of this intro, I brought on the catalyst for this episode, Nick Bartolo, founder and Managing Partner of Essential Partners. The conversation delves in
RTW: Investing across Healthcare - [Business Breakdowns, EP.184]
Today we are breaking down healthcare, one of the most impactful sectors in the world, yet one of the most unique for investors. My guests are Rod Wong, founder and CIO of RTW Investments, and Stephanie Sirota, chief business officer of RTW Investments.
RTW was founded in 2009 and operates a sector-specific strategy in healthcare. We discuss the evolution of their model, which feels particularly i
Sherwin-Williams: Brushstrokes of Success - [Business Breakdowns, EP.183]
Today we are breaking down the paint giant Sherwin-Williams. Founded in 1866, Sherwin Williams is a great example of a company where everyday consumers might not appreciate just how great of a business and stock this has been.
Over the last 20 years, Sherwin has compounded earnings at 14% per year. And over those 20 years, the stock has returned 26x your investment. And that's compared to the S&P
Rakuten: Rewiring Japan's Digital Economy - [Business Breakdowns, EP.182]
Today, we are breaking down the Japanese internet conglomerate Rakuten. I'm joined by Matt Brett, the lead manager of the Japan Trust at Baillie Gifford, which has continuously invested in Rakuten since 2005.
Rakuten is the unique Japanese conglomerate that wasn't started over a hundred years ago and instead was part of the late nineties global internet boom. Matt helps explain what was different
Renishaw: The Precision Pioneers - [Business Breakdowns, EP.181]
Today, we are breaking down Renishaw, a leading supplier of measuring and manufacturing systems, specifically focused on accuracy and precision. What does that mean in layman's terms? Renishaw is a picks and shovels provider to many of the fastest-growing end markets in the world. The company designs and develops systems for anything revolving around semiconductors, robotics, and medical devices.
3i Group: Capital in Action - [Business Breakdowns, EP.180]
Today we are breaking down the publicly traded investment company 3i. You may think if you've seen one publicly traded investment vehicle, you've seen them all. Yet, 3i is an investment vehicle where one business, Dutch retailer, Action, represents well north of 50% of their net asset value.
Our guest to break down 3i is Luke Bridgeman, a partner and portfolio manager at Hosking Partners. Luke sh
5 Handpicked Highlights - [Business Breakdowns, EP.179]
This is Matt Reustle. We're coming up on 200 episodes of Business Breakdowns, and one of the best things about hosting this show is that while each episode brings something completely different, you start to see the connective tissue that ties businesses together.
We're often asked, "What's your favorite episode?" I certainly have favorites, but there are ideas that emerge from episodes that reall
Graco: Mastering The Flow - [Business Breakdowns, EP.178]
This is Jesse Pujji. Today, we're breaking down Graco, a leading manufacturer of fluid handling equipment and industrial products. Graco was founded in 1926 and has become a global leader in the design and manufacturing of systems and components used to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray a wide variety of fluids and powders.
If you've ever used a paint sprayer, you might be familiar with
Siemens Energy: Winds of Change - [Business Breakdowns, EP.177]
I'm Zack Fuss and today we are breaking down Siemens Energy, a spinoff from industrial giant Siemens. Siemens Energy operates across the entire energy value chain, with a significant presence in both conventional and renewable power.
What makes this company particularly interesting is its position at the forefront of the energy transition. Siemens is uniquely placed to bridge the gap between tradi
Olympic Games: The Price of Glory - [Business Breakdowns, EP.176]
Today we are diving into the economics of the Olympics. It's a timely episode with the Paris Games ongoing right now and the economic reality for host cities is extremely poor. It's estimated that Paris is going to spend $9 billion for these 2024 games and in return, they'll generate revenue somewhere in the mid-single-digit billions.
Our guest is Andrew Zimbalist, author and economics Professor a
Axon: Stunning The Competition - [Business Breakdowns, EP.175]
Today, we are breaking down Axon Enterprise. You may know Axon as the pioneer of the taser. The business has truly evolved over the years and now has expanded into body cams and other supporting tools for law enforcement and the defense industries.
Our guest is Danielle Menichella, portfolio manager at Sands Capital Management. Danielle details not just how Axon expanded its product offering but a
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